Click here for a video of the summit cafe:-
Hafod Eryri
That was the name given to the Snowdon Cafe and visitors centre on the summit of Snowdon itself. Designed by architech Ray Hole, this building replaces the old concrete bunker.
It was recently opened to the public on 12th June 2009 at a cost of £8m to build.
The new building is designed to stand the extreme weather conditions at the peak, where winds can reach 150mph and temperatures drop to -20C.
This was my first visit to the cafe. I went with Jason (Shiqiwang from the Walking Britain forum).
Weather today was hot and humid, thunderstorms were expected later in the day according to the Met Office.
Arrived at Pen Y Pass at 9:30am, as I was waiting for Jason the car park was filling up extra fast! He had to park 1and a half miles further down when he arrived because he had been delayed on the M6. We finally set off at 11:00am.
Crib Goch up ahead, weather was still fine. We summited at 12:09, this must have been my record ascent in 1hr 9mins from the carpark!
Jason and the Llanberis Pass.
This view suddenly hits you when you ascend the PYG track.
This is the way we wanted to go for some ridge walking!
A guy who swims every week, runs 5miles 2-3 time a week, no wonder I had a hard time keeping up! Jason on top of Crib Goch.
A shot of me scrambling up to the summit of Crib Goch.
Crib Goch up ahead, weather was still fine. We summited at 12:09, this must have been my record ascent in 1hr 9mins from the carpark!
Jason and the Llanberis Pass.
This view suddenly hits you when you ascend the PYG track.
This is the way we wanted to go for some ridge walking!
A guy who swims every week, runs 5miles 2-3 time a week, no wonder I had a hard time keeping up! Jason on top of Crib Goch.
A shot of me scrambling up to the summit of Crib Goch.
Cloud moving in but were at a high level. My eighth Crib Goch summit and arete traverse.
Skies darken, rain imminent.
Classic shot of Glaslyn.
Just before the down pour which lasted 10 mins!
More scrambling fun! This shot was taken after the easy section of Bwlch Goch Pass. Me, in orange, scramblimg up the Crib Y Ddsygl and the next knife edge section.
We followed the crest of the ridge with some superb scrambling which leads to the trig point of Garnedd Ugain.
Summit of Garnedd Ugain (Wales' 2nd highest mountain) and Snowdon in the backdrop.
Snowdon Mountain Railway. Runs by the rack and pinion system. The line is 4miles in length with the steepest gradient being 1 in 5.5.
The coal fired steam locomotive and a carriage full of day trippers!
Another Snowdon Summit, my ninth! But only a few in fine weather like this.
Quick summit shot as there is a lack of standing space on here!
Next stop the summit cafe, now with loo break facilities!
The main side entrance.
More details of the wall to the left of the doorway.
Inside, it is nice and cosy! Can't wait till winter!
The viewing wall of glass.
Train platform, access from the rear of the cafe.
Looking back again at the awesome Crib Goch.
Snowdon Mountain Railway. Runs by the rack and pinion system. The line is 4miles in length with the steepest gradient being 1 in 5.5.
The coal fired steam locomotive and a carriage full of day trippers!
Another Snowdon Summit, my ninth! But only a few in fine weather like this.
Quick summit shot as there is a lack of standing space on here!
Next stop the summit cafe, now with loo break facilities!
The main side entrance.
More details of the wall to the left of the doorway.
Inside, it is nice and cosy! Can't wait till winter!
The viewing wall of glass.
Train platform, access from the rear of the cafe.
Looking back again at the awesome Crib Goch.
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